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* Nacheyla walks in and lights the candles. "Gods above and below, it's stuffy out there." She wanders into the kitchen and the sounds of stirring drift into the Hall. A moment later, Nacheyla is back to the bar with a large pitcher of iced lemonade and a strawberry shortcake on a tray balanced on her fingertips. "Hall's open." * Tarri comes in with a small basket and a spring in her step that's been missing for the last month or so. She smiles brightly as she enters the room. "Good evening, Lady Nacheyla! Ooh, are those strawberries?" * Nacheyla deposits the pitcher and tray on the bar and returns to the kitchen for plates. "Something like that, dear. One moment." * Tarri puts her basket on the counter and opens it to reveal several dozen cookies - chocolate chip, butter, and oatmeal. She sets it next to the shortcake. "I should take vacations more often." * Nacheyla comes back out with a small stack of plates. She puts them on the bar next to the cake and then gets some mugs down. "Lemonade, dear?" She pours herself a mug-full, then begins cutting cake. <Tarri> Yes, please. And help yourself to some cookies. ::she grins:: * Jaret enters the hall. He has is usual finery on, and a joie de vivre in his step, but his face looks a little pinched. He takes his hat off, tosses it blithely from one hand to the other, and tosses it with a little flick of his wrist onto one of the pegs on the wall. "Good evening, fair ladies." He greets the room with a bow. * Nacheyla pours Tarri a glass of lemonade. "Evening Jaret." * Glossaria hurries in the door and heads directly for the little bookworm's room. "Evening!" * Glossaria closes the door behind her. * Michelle enters the hall. "Good evening everyone." * Tarri waves cheerfully at all and sundry as they enter. * Michelle takes a seat at the bar, noticing the food, "Are we having a party, or did I just chose a good evening to stop by?" <Nacheyla> You chose a very hot, stuffy evening to stop by. Have some cake. ::she starts putting slices on plates and arranging them around the cake:: <Jaret> ::making his way to the bar, taking a plate of cake after all the ladies have selected one:: Yet again reminding me that I really should start taking applications for a house chef. You are a wonderful baker, Lady Nacheyla. <Nacheyla> Would you like some lemonade, Jaret, or ... I think I have a bottle of fairly good port around here somewhere. * Tarri takes a slice and starts eating strawberries off the top. "Mmm.... Last of the summer strawberries, I guess..." <Jaret> Oh, some port would be lovely. Be sure to pour yourself a glass. * Nacheyla scuffles around behind the bar for a while and comes out with a fat, cord-wrapped bottle. She pries out the stopper and pours Jaret a goblet. "Here you are." * Jaret takes the goblet from Nacheyla, toasts her with it, and has a swallow. * Glossaria returns from her quick side-trip looking vastly relieved, but a trifle pale. She smooths down the front of her gown as she approaches the bar. "Good evening, all." She smiles a little shyly. "Good evening, Lady Nacheyla." <Nacheyla> ::nods to Glossaria:: Come, dear. Have some cake. A little lemonade? Or perhaps you'd prefer a glass of milk? <Glossaria> ::blushes:: Milk would be nice. <Tarri> How're you doing, Gloss? <Nacheyla> ::nods:: Be right back. ::she takes a mug and heads back into the kitchen:: <Glossaria> As... well as could be expected, I believe. ::glances at the kitchen:: I never drank milk *before*.... * Nacheyla comes back out with the mug filled. "It's good for you." * Nacheyla deposits the mug on the bar in front of Gloss. <Glossaria> ::cocks her head:: I believe *I* am not the intended recipient. Thank you. ::picks up the mug and downs half of it in what seems like a breath:: And you said... cake? <Tarri> ::grins:: I understand a lot of tastes change, during pregnancy. <Glossaria> And... do you have any cheese? <Nacheyla> ::indicates the slices along the bar:: <Nacheyla> Sure... what sort of cheese do you want? <Glossaria> I only... ::puts a hand to her stomach as she puts the mug down:: I hope it *is* a baby, and not some sort of intestinal parasite. Although at this stage, I believe there would be little difference. ::cocks her head:: A semihard sheep cheese, mildly pungent. If such is available? * Michelle shakes her head and has a bite of cake, smiling the entire time. <Tarri> ::giggles:: I'm pretty sure you can trust your midwife. <Glossaria> ::smiles a little:: Even if I couldn't, I'm fairly certain I could trust my ancestor-in-law. * Nacheyla nods and goes back into the back, coming back out a few minutes later with a plate covered in feta cheese cubes, a side dish of olives, and a small bowl of a yoghurt-cucumber dip. "Here you are, dear." <Glossaria> Oooh! ::reaches for a slice of cake, taking a bite before following it with an olive dipped in tzatziki and a cube of cheese:: * Jaret sticks to his goblet of port and small bites of cake. * Tarri finishes her slice of cake and picks a cookie out of her basket. She nibbles around the edges, watching Glossaria bemusedly. * Glossaria sighs happily as she chews, looking blissful. <Glossaria> Ahhh... perfect. ::takes another healthy swallow of milk:: I'm afraid the Kitchen is becoming... somewhat wary of me. <Tarri> ::grins:: I can't blame it, if that's how you're eating, lately. * Glossaria picks up her fork again and returns her attention to the strawberry shortcake. "Well, it's not the volume that distresses it, I think, so much as my, um, vagaries of taste. Although I *am* beginning to map patterns of nutritional requirements, in my cravings. Well... mostly. ::frowns a little:: <Tarri> Yes, that's exactly what I meant. ::grins a little wider and nibbles on her cookie some more:: <Nacheyla> ::raises one eyebrow:: <Glossaria> Oh... so... the volume of my food intake isn't distressing to you? Because... well, he's not *said* anything, but the way Vallel looks when we eat together, sometimes... <Nacheyla> ::snorts:: The way *Vallel* eats, I seriously doubt he's *noticed* your food intake, dear. <Tarri> It's not the volume, Gloss, I promise. It's the... the *mix*. <Glossaria> Well... it has increased... ::looks over the plate she was given, which now holds less than half of what she was originally served:: ...considerably, I must say. The phrase is "eating for two," but by my estimation, I'm eating for at least two and a half. And I've not even begun to alter form yet... it's... it's *not* a parasite, is it, Lady Nacheyla? ::bites her lip worriedly:: * Jaret finishes off his cake and stands up. "Delightful, Nacheyla." He puts a few silvers on the counter. "I'd stay and have another piece, but if I don't leave now, I'll be late for the opera." <Nacheyla> ::dutifully:: It's not a parasite. Not in the conventional definition, leastways. <Nacheyla> The opera? Oh... have a delightful time, I'm sure. ::looks dubious:: <Michelle> Good night Jaret. Have a good time. <Glossaria> You're seeing a-- oh, I wouldn't wish to keep you. But if it's not too late, could you come and tell me about it, afterward? <Tarri> Ooh, have a good time, Lord Malkier. <Jaret> ::heading to the door, retrieving his hat:: Thank you, Michelle, I'm quite sure I will. They have a new soprano who's supposed to be very talented. And I'll make an appointment with you, Glossaria. I have a box, if you'd like, I'll leave you and Vallel tickets for a night. <Glossaria> Oh, that would be delightful! Thank you, Lord Jaret! Enjoy yourself! * Jaret bows, puts his hat on, and exits the Hall. <Nacheyla> ::eats her cake:: The opera, huh? Better him than me. <Glossaria> You dislike opera, Lady Nacheyla? I've read several. The plotlines are... well, highly romanticized, but quite enjoyable. <Tarri> Don't you like the opera, Lady Nacheyla? * Michelle has some more cake. <Nacheyla> ::shakes her head with her tongue stuck out:: Not even remotely. <Glossaria> ::smiles a little:: That's a gesture strongly reminiscent of your ten-year-old form, you know. <Nacheyla> Yes, well, I drag it out for special occasions. <Tarri> I like some of them... ::smiles a bit sheepishly:: Like "The Candlelighter," say... <Glossaria> I've never... experienced an opera. I'm told it's far more impressive in performance than when simply reading it. <Tarri> ::eyes Glossaria dubiously:: Master Kevil's never taken you to see an opera? <Glossaria> Oh! ::blinks:: It never occurred to me to ask Master Kevil. I was, ah, advised that many men are... unfond of opera, and so I admit to some dubiousness over how Val would receive news of tickets.... <Tarri> ::giggles:: Master Kevil likes opera. When we were getting ready for that... trap for the slavers, he sang some for me, to help keep me from getting too nervous. ::considers:: And him, too, I think, though I didn't realize it at the time. <Glossaria> ::cocks her head:: You don't know if *Val* likes opera or not, do you? <Tarri> ::shakes her head:: I don't know. It's not something we got to see a lot, in Khymrych... But he *is* a musician, so he might. You could just *ask* him. * Michelle finishes off her slice of cake. "Could I have some of that lemonade Nachan?" <Nacheyla> Certainly, Michelle. ::she pours a mug:: Anything else? I'm sure there's more food back there ::jerks her chin at the kitchen:: I think, finally, things are starting to turn around. <Glossaria> Well... yes. But if I ask him, especially given my current condition, he might feel obligated despite his feelings, and I have no desire to obligate him and thereby compel him to view opera with me. ::eats another three olives and a cube of cheese:: It is a quandary. <Michelle> Thank you Nachan. ::sips the lemonade:: <Tarri> ::laughs:: Get two tickets, and tell him that you were *going* to invite me, but he can go with you if he'd rather. And if he doesn't want to go, then I will. ::she grins and picks another cookie out of the basket:: Cookie? <Nacheyla> ::rolls her eyes:: Drag him to the opera, Gloss, if you want to go. Believe me, the first pregnancy is the first, last and only time in your life you'll get your own way most of the time. <Tarri> ::grins at Nacheyla:: Or... you could do that. <Glossaria> ::pouting faintly:: I usually find Vallel to be quite accommodating. <Nacheyla> ::chuckles to herself:: Believe me, after you have this baby, the next time you'll be accommodated is once a year when you are forced to lay quietly in bed and eat burned pancakes and pretend it's the best breakfast you ever had. <Glossaria> ::blinks:: Burned pancakes? The Kitchen doesn't burn food. Well, not unless it's quite put out with us. <Nacheyla> ::shakes her head:: Never mind, Gloss, you'll figure it out eventually. <Tarri> ::indignantly:: I *never* burned Mama's pancakes! ::very quietly:: We'll not discuss the toast, though... * Michelle giggles. <Glossaria> ::blinks:: Very well. ::has another bit of cheese:: Is there any more milk, Lady Nacheyla? * Nacheyla takes Gloss's mug and goes back into the kitchen. * Tarri peers into her basket of cookies, reduced by only two, and makes a face. "Doesn't anyone want some cookies? Orlann and I can't eat them all before they get all stale..." * Michelle giggles and holds out her arm, "Go ahead Tarri, twist my arm." * Tarri offers Michelle the basket, filled more or less to the brim with a variety of cookies. <Glossaria> ::has another piece of cheese and finishes her cake before leaning over to peer into the basket from the other side:: * Michelle snags a couple of cookies. "Felt like cooking on your vacation I take it." <Tarri> No matter what I promised 'Lann, I can only sit perfectly idle for about two days. But I *did* leave him all the dirty dishes to clean. ::grins:: * Michelle giggles before consuming a cookie, "Well feel free to push your cast-offs off on us." <Glossaria> ::selects several cookies, one of each type, and starts nibbling:: <Tarri> I *do* feel much better. I think I slept for almost a whole day straight. Orlann's been saying "I told you so" for the last three days. ::half-smiles:: * Nacheyla brings Gloss another mug of milk. <Glossaria> ::smiles and accepts her mug:: Does that make you more or less likely to take another vacation at some future date? <Tarri> Oh, more. He usually manages to find a nice way to say it. <Glossaria> ::giggles:: Good. I should hate to see you deprived of time off through an improper application of reverse psychology. <Tarri> ::laughs:: No, Orlann takes good care of me. Or at least, he tries. I'm not very cooperative sometimes. <Glossaria> ::small smile:: Hm. Perhaps stereotypes do occasionally have basis in truth. <Tarri> Stereotypes? <Glossaria> ::smiles wider:: "Physician, heal thyself." Healers are reputed to be notoriously bad about following their own advice in such matters as preventative care and bed-rest. <Tarri> Oh... ::blushes a little, but shrugs:: Well... Most stereotypes *become* stereotypes for a reason... * Nacheyla appears to consider the matter for a while, then shrugs and has another slice of shortcake. <Glossaria> ::smiles:: Apparently so. Oh dear... excuse me, please. ::slides off her stool and rushes to the water closet again:: <Tarri> ::watches Glossaria leave with some sympathy:: Reasons to be glad I'm not pregnant, number one. <Nacheyla> ::nods:: Could be worse. At least she just ate. <Tarri> Still... ::shrugs a little and sips her lemonade:: * Glossaria returns, smoothing her dress down again. * Glossaria sighs. "I understand that particular need will only get worse over time. I admit, it's difficult to comprehend, at this time." <Tarri> Worse? Nausea's supposed to ease up, after a couple of months. <Glossaria> Oh... no, no, my nausea is largely confined to mornings. Although certain foods... well, this was not nausea. ::blushes faintly:: <Nacheyla> ::holds up one hand:: That's all right, Gloss, we don't need the details. <Nacheyla> ::looks around:: Last call? * Michelle finishes her cookies and her lemonade. "I'm fine Nachan. I should probably be heading home. Anyone care for some company on their way home?" <Tarri> Oh, it's quite late, isn't it? ::she swallows the last of her lemonade, then puts the cloth back over her cookies:: <Nacheyla> All right, then. ::starts gathering up the dishes:: Oh, and Gloss, dear? I don't know if you've thought about visiting, but you shouldn't right now. Cheylon's got Children's Tattoo, and it wouldn't do for you to be exposed to it, right now. <Glossaria> ::looks wistful:: Could I... that is, would you mind, Tarri, if I took some of those home with me? Vallel should be able to share in them. That is, if I don't consume them all on the way home. <Glossaria> ::picks cheese crumbs off the now-empty plate and eats them:: <Tarri> ::giggles:: Yes, of course... Here, take the whole basket. I can always make more. <Glossaria> Oh! Thank you. ::smiles:: I believe at least a few should make it home intact. I believe I've reached my customary limit for sweets today. <Tarri> ::grins:: Well, if nothing else, tell Val that *he* should take a break and come visit sometime... I haven't seen him for ages. * Nacheyla shooes the dishes into the kitchen. <Tarri> Oh, I should go, before 'Lann starts to worry... Good night, everyone! <Nacheyla> Good night, dear. <Michelle> Good night Tarri. <Glossaria> Goodnight, Tarri, and thank you! ::waves:: * Tarri waves and heads out the door. <Glossaria> ::tucks the cover over the basket, resisting the cookies' siren call womanfully:: Oh... may I ask you a question, Lady Nacheyla? <Nacheyla> I feel almost certain that you can... <Glossaria> Is it... there *is* just one in there, is there not? ::puts her hand on her stomach and peers down:: That is... my familial predisposition is for... far more than I believe this current form could safely gestate.... * Nacheyla sighs. "I'm sure your body's not going to make more babies than it can support." <Nacheyla> But, if you really want, I can take a peer. <Glossaria> ::chews her lip and nods quickly:: <Nacheyla> Well, come here, then. I don't bite. ::holds out one hand:: <Glossaria> ::small smile:: Not in this form, at least. ::comes closer:: <Nacheyla> ::puts one hand over Gloss's stomach:: Hard. <Glossaria> ::oofs faintly:: <Nacheyla> You're fine, dear... ::she pats Gloss's arm:: <Glossaria> ::anxiously:: Does that mean there's just one? <Nacheyla> ::raises an eyebrow:: Do you really want to know? <Glossaria> ::blinks, a little nonplussed:: I did ask. Why would I not? <Glossaria> Is there some danger in knowing? <Nacheyla> ::rolls her eyes:: Don't you ever want to be surprised? <Glossaria> Well... I didn't inquire as to gender. And it would be far more practical, knowing how many to prepare for. <Nacheyla> ::shrugs:: Looks like just one. Hard to tell, though. Ask me again in a few weeks. <Glossaria> Oh. ::breaks into a smile, putting both hands over her abdomen:: Thank you, Lady Nacheyla. * Michelle stands up, "Come on Gloss, let's get you home so Nachan can close up and get home to her family." <Glossaria> Oh, yes, of course. Do say hello to Cheylon and Xarroch for me, would you? <Nacheyla> ::nods:: I will. * Michelle holds the door open for Gloss. <Glossaria> ::eyes the water closet door again briefly, but takes a deep breath and heads out the door instead:: * Nacheyla finishes her clean up and locks the door behind her. |
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